Peace and goodwill to all men it seems after the festive break, except that is for Javier Aguirre, who was shown this weekend’s only red card for reportedly saying to the referee (our translation) “that was a yellow card, you son of a bitch!”. The potty-mouthed Espanyol coach said afterwards he uses the “H de P” phrase lots of times in a match, and his insult wasn’t directed specifically at the referee! The disciplinary committee didn’t agree though, and he was given a four match ban which he will have to serve out in two games in the cup, and two in the league.

Otherwise the only bans were for accumulation of yellow cards, Botía (Elche) the first this season to reach ten bookings, and Gurpegi (Athletic), Sergio García (Espanyol), Yebda (Granada), Angeleri and Antunes (Málaga), Puñal (Osasuna) and Alvaro Rubio (Valladolid) all joining him on the sidelines after picking up their fifth. Atlético’s Juanfran was also shown his fifth yellow card of the current campaign, although he will after all be available for the big clash with Barcelona after the disciplinary committee upheld Atleti’s appeal to overturn the decision. (08.01.14)